Use of a display of a converter, method for operating a converter, and converter

ABSTRACT

In the use of a display of a converter, method for operating a converter, and converter, the converter having an address code switch, in particular on its housing, and in an actuation of the address code switch and during a subsequent, predefined period of time, a respective value corresponding to the respective switch position of the address code switch is displayed by the display. Operating information of the converter is displayed in all other cases.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/190,065, filed on Mar. 2, 2021, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/321,020, filed on Dec. 21, 2016, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,943,565, issued on Mar. 9, 2021, which is the nationalstage of PCT/EP2015/001410, having an international filing date of Jul.9, 2015, and claims priority to Application No. 10 2014 010 979.8, filedin the Federal Republic of Germany on Jul. 29, 2014, each of which isexpressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a use of a display of a converter, amethod for operating a converter, and a converter.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It is generally conventional for a converter to include a display fordisplaying an operating status.

SUMMARY

Therefore, example embodiments of the present invention is is directedto avoiding faults in the operation of industrial systems.

Among features of example embodiments of the present invention in theuse of a display of a converter are that the converter has an addresscode switch, in particular on its housing, and that when the addresscode switch is actuated and following a subsequent, predefined period oftime, a respective value corresponding to a respective switch positionof the address code switch is displayed by the display, and thatoperating information of the converter is displayed in all other cases.

This has the advantage that when setting the address, a display used forother purposes, in particular a 7-segment display, may be utilized fordisplaying the address, thus making it possible to reduce faults. Inparticular, not only may the direct labeling of the address code switchat a small type size be used, but also the much larger display of thedisplay. The type size of the display may be twice as large as thelabeling of the address code switch on the housing of the address codeswitch. This ensures reliable readability, and thus reduces the faultrate.

The time period may have a value between 1 second and 100 seconds. Thisis considered advantageous insofar as after the actuation of the addresscode switch, the address value input with the aid of the address codeswitch is displayed for the period of time, so that the operatorreceives optical feedback of his input. The operator is therefore ableto check his input within an adequate period of time.

The operating information may include a status, especially an operatingstatus, e.g., the type of control method of the converter, enableinformation or a fault status, in particular. This is consideredadvantageous in that operating information is displayed when no addressis input. Only when an address is input will the input address bevisualized for a period of time.

The address code switch may have a rotary switch, in particular a rotaryswitch having discrete rotary positions and/or address code rotaryswitches, or a DIP switch, the address code switch having a finitenumber of switch positions, in particular. This has the advantage thatin a digital display, in particular such as a 7-segment display, thefinite number can then be displayed in an uncomplicated manner. Thedisplay is particularly simple if each rotary switch of the address codeswitch has only 16 or fewer switch positions. The switch position of therespective rotary switch is thus representable by a 7-segment display ineach case, in particular hexadecimally.

A hexadecimal number may be allocated to each switch position of theaddress code switch, and the switch position may be correspondinglylabeled on the address code switch. This has the advantage that theoperator can view the labeling on the one hand and the display on theother. The fault rate is therefore able to be reduced further. Inaddition, an item of information regarding the address allocated to theconverter during the initial startup operation is also displayed duringa normal operation due to the fact that it can be read out on theaddress code switch itself.

The address code switch may have labeled surface sections, and arespective labeled surface section may be assigned to each switchposition of the address code switch. This has the advantage of allowinga simple readout, which also remains in a power outage. The informationdisplayed by the display in an actuation of the address code switch andduring a subsequent predefined period of time may correspond to thelabeling assigned to the corresponding switch position, in particularthe allocated labeled surface section. This is considered advantageousinsofar as a redundant display of information is provided and as aresult, the fault rate is reduced.

Among features of the method for operating a converter are that theconverter has an address code switch, in particular on its housing, anda display. The actuation of the address code switch is detected, and arespective value corresponding to the respective current switch positionof the address code switch is displayed by the display temporally afterthe detection instant for a subsequent, predefinable period of time.

Operating information of the converter is displayed in all other cases.

This has the advantage that on account of the redundant display, thetype size of the display being greater than the type size of thelabeling of the address code switch.

Among features of the alternative method for operating a converter arethat the converter has an address code switch, in particular on itshousing, and a display. The actuation of the address code switch isdetected, and following each detected actuation, a value correspondingto the respective switch position of the address code switch isdisplayed by the display for a subsequent, predefined period of time.

Different operating information of the converter is displayed in allother cases, that is to say, values or information not related to theswitch position, in particular.

This is considered advantageous inasmuch as no further display isrequired, since the existing display may be used for displaying theaddress information for the duration of the time period.

Among features of the converter are that the converter has an addresscode switch, in particular on its housing, and a display.

The converter includes a device for detecting an actuation of theaddress code switch, and a device for the time delay after a respectivedetected actuation, in particular for a subsequent predefined period oftime.

The device for the delay time generates an enable signal, which: (a) inan enablement, controls an actuator actuating the display such that itactuates the display so that a respective value corresponding to therespective switch position of the address code switch is displayed bythe display; and (b) in the absence of an enablement, the enable signalcontrols the actuator such that it controls the display so that otheroperating information of the converter is displayed, that is to say,values or information not related to the switch position, in particular.

This is considered advantageous in that the actuation is detectable withthe aid of a sensor, i.e. a device for detecting the actuation of theaddress code switch. The sensor preferably detects an electric variablethat depends on the switch position, such as a current or voltage.

Example embodiments of the present invention are described in greaterdetail with reference to the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a field device according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention in a frontal view.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cut-away section of the example embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Field device 1 is arranged as a bus device of a data bus. For thispurpose, an address, i.e. a device address, is assigned to field device1 during the start-up operation.

This allows a higher-level control, preferably a master, to transmitdata to field device 1. The address is added to each transmitted datapacket, so that field device 1 receives the data and other field devicesthat are also possibly connected to the data bus as bus devicesdisregard the data packet. The data packet, for example, includescommand data and/or other data.

The inputting of the address on field device 1 is accomplished with theaid of address code switches, which are arranged as address code rotaryswitches 3. This means that the address is codable by turning, i.e.adjusting the rotary position. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated,16 rotary positions are possible. However, since two such address codeswitches 3 are used, addresses between 0 and 255 are able to be set.

Although address code switch 3 is labeled so that each rotary positionis assigned a corresponding value, the labeling is implemented at a typesize whose numbers or letters are smaller than the diameter of therotatable part of address code switch 3.

Field device 1 also has a display 2. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated, it is provided by two 7-segment displays.

During an operation, display 2 is used for the display of operatinginformation, such as the status of the converter.

The operating type or a fault status of the converter, for instance, isshown.

During the start-up operation, especially when setting the address, nooperating information of the converter is displayed, but instead, theswitch position of the address code switches is shown.

The switch position of the first address code switch 3 is digitallydisplayed in the first one of the two 7-segment displays. In the samemanner, the switch position of second address code switch 3 is displayedwith the aid of the second one of the two 7-segment displays.

Following a certain period of time, the 7-segment displays are onceagain used for the display of the operating information.

The actuation, or in other words, the modification of the position ofaddress code switch 3, may detected. As soon as the actuation has beendetected, the 7-segment display will then be used to display the addressinformation, i.e. the position of the address code switch. Once theactuation has been concluded, the display of the address informationwill continue to be maintained for a predefined period of time,whereupon a switch to the display of the operating information takesplace.

Therefore, during the setting of the address information and during asubsequent, predefined period of time, display 2 is used for the displayof the input address information and then for the display of theoperating information.

Even in the case of an address change that takes place after the startupoperation, i.e. an actuation of address code switch 3, the display 2will once again be used to display the address information assigned tothe switch position for the time period of the actuation and asubsequent period of time.

Preferably, a hexadecimal number is able to be displayed by each one ofthe 7-segment displays, thereby utilizing the 7-segment display in anoptimal manner. 256 different addresses are thus able to be displayed bythe two hexadecimal numbers.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, address codeswitches other than address code rotary switches 3 are employed. DIPswitches may preferably be used for this purpose. These too havelabeling on each switch. When the respective DIP switch is actuated, theinformation that corresponds to the respective switch position will bedisplayed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Field device, e.g., a converter

2 Display, e.g., a 7-segment display

3 Address code rotary switch

What is claimed is:
 1. A converter, comprising: a control device adapted to generate an enable signal after a time delay following an actuation detected by a detection device adapted to detect an actuation of an address code switch, adapted to set a device address of the converter, to set and/or change the device address of the converter, the control device adapted to control, in an enablement, a display of the converter to display a value corresponding to a switch position of the address code switch and to the device address of the converter and adapted to control, in a non-enablement, the display to display other operating information of the converter.
 2. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the address switch is provided on a housing of the converter.
 3. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the other information includes values and/or information not related to the switch position.
 4. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to set the device address of the converter based on the switch position of the address code switch during a start-up operation of the converter.
 5. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the address code switch includes a plurality of address code switches, and the display includes a plurality of displays, each display corresponding to a respective one of the address code switches.
 6. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the display includes a 7-segment display adapted to display a hexadecimal number corresponding to the device address.
 7. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the address code switch and/or the display is provided on a housing of the converter.
 8. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to control the display to display the value corresponding to the switch position of the address code switch and to the device address of the converter during a predefined time period after setting and/or changing the device address of the converter.
 9. The converter according to claim 8, wherein the period is between 1 second and 100 seconds.
 10. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the operating information includes a status, an operating status, a type of control method of the converter, enable information, and/or a fault status.
 11. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the address code switch includes a rotary switch, includes a rotary switch having discrete rotary positions and/or address code rotary switches, includes a DIP switch, and/or has a finite number of switch positions.
 12. The converter according to claim 1, wherein each switch position of the address code switch is assigned a hexadecimal number, and the switch is labeled accordingly on the address code switch.
 13. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the address code switch includes labeled surface sections, and each switch position of the address code switch is assigned a respective labeled surface section.
 14. The converter according to claim 8, wherein information displayed on the display in an actuation of the address code switch and during a subsequent, predefined period of time corresponds to labeling assigned to a respective switch position and/or an allocated labeled surface section.
 15. The converter according to claim 1, wherein setting and/or changing of the device address including actuating the address code switch.
 16. The converter according to claim 1, wherein setting and/or changing of the device address includes modification of the switch position of the address code switch.
 17. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to detect an actuation of the address code switch and to display the value corresponding to the switch position of the address code switch and to the device address of the converter in response to detection of the actuation of the address code switch.
 18. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to temporarily display, in response to detection of actuation of the address code switch, the value corresponding to the switch position of the address code switch and to the device address of the converter.
 19. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the operating information of the converter includes values and/or information not related to the switch position.
 20. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to detect actuation of the address code switch by a sensor.
 21. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the control device is adapted to detect the actuation of the address code switch by detection of an electric variable that depends on the switch position.
 22. The converter according to claim 21, wherein the electric variable includes current and/or voltage. 